Day Two; Fedorov Rumors (Update)

AOL Fanhouse has posted a quote from KHL President Alexander Medvedev's who says Sergei Fedorov is not joining the Kontinental Hockey League because he will resign with Washington today. Such a report is premature according to Captials officials, though, who said the team is still in negotiations with Fedorov, that an agreement has not yet been reached and an there is no expected announcement.

Fedorov has said repeatedly that he'd like to return to Washington and general manager George McPhee has said they're working to bring him back if the numbers are right. McPhee has permission to spend up to the salary cap this year, but the question becomes will they have enough money for Fedorov after Brooks Laich's and Shaone Morrisonn's arbitration hearings?

A fairly long session this morning. They ran the group through timing and agility drills for the first hour or so before suiting up the goaltenders for some one-on-ones and other drills. So there's not a ton to report today. I'm looking forward to the first scrimmage tomorrow - when they will be in normal game situations and have names on their jerseys. But a few things on my mind: Francois Bouchard continues to look strong but I was a bit surprised when John Carlson was able to poke check him twice on his first move a few times during one-on-ones. Carlson looked solid and showed a few glimpses of that big shot that's been advertised. Andrew Gordon's speed still stands out in this group.

This may development camp but Bruce Boudreau certainly isn't cutting anyone any slack. The team that lost the shootout drill at the end of practice had to skate herbies, but none of them seemed too surprised, Andrew Gordon said, after missing out on eight or so chances to win the competition.

I'll admit I'm a bit surprised at the sparse crowd out at Kettler these first two days. Granted the scrimmages will probably bring more people but I expected more after last year's run. Also, confirmed with the Caps that Varlamov and his agent asked that his first name be spelled Simeon.

Update: Unfortunately I have to be brief this time because I'm pulling double duty and covering the Mystics game tonight, but I think we'll learn a good bit more tomorrow during the scrimmages in terms of how the players stack up development wise.

Alzner showed his smoothness once again in skating drills, and I'm saving further comments on Osala until the scrimmage. But the biggest difference between the morning and afternoon skates? How long the shootout drill at the end lasted. With Neuvirth and Varlamov in net the forwards in Group A went through several rotations before finally cracking the two prized prospects with any sort of regularity.